Toyota Adds 331,000 Cars to Takata Air Bag Recalls

Toyota is adding 331,000 cars worldwide to an existing recall of passenger airbags made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp.

According to Toyota the expanded recall includes roughly 198,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles from the 2008 model year as well as 2008-2010 model year Lexus SC 430 vehicles.

The vehicles covered by Toyota’s most recent recall were equipped with Takata-produced dual-stage front airbags. It brings the total number of recalled Toyota vehicles with Takata airbags to 15.3 million globally and 3.1 million in the U.S.

There are about 200,000 of the vehicles in the U.S. Metal fragments from the exploding inflators could pierce the driver and passengers, and have been linked to at least 10 deaths. In addition, investigators must determine if a vehicle has just one inflator that can be unsafe or if both front airbag inflators need replaced.

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is subject to change over time.

All known owners will be notified by Toyota and Lexus via first class mail.

Millions of cars have been recalled due to defective Takata air bags across the world.

“Emails and documents reviewed by committee minority staff reveal a culture within Takata that, at a minimum, did not prioritize the safety of its products – and perhaps operated with an utter disregard for safety”, the report says. NHTSA has repeatedly said it would quickly expand the recalls if it obtained evidence of additional issues.